The Genie
Chapter 4 of Team Gilligan
The skipper, van Helsing, and Gilligan moved off to one side, awed by the incredible underground enclave called Sewer Town. Straight ahead, a long concrete walkway fronted a four-story, flat cliff face of yellowish stone. Windows dotted the facade, which featured stairwells along its length. Light came from an artificial sun high above, which Key said turned orange in the evening and blue at night. The most striking feature was a pair of organic stone towers arising out of shallow water to fuse with the overhead. A moss-draped rope bridge spanned the pair, allowing transit between cubbies carved out in Tekniker times.
"What are the boats about?" Gilligan asked.
"They hunt for lake moss and crawfish," Key said. "The water's only waist deep at shore, but deeper way back there at the Lady Chapel." A faint blue glow emanated far across the black depths, silhouetting stalactites and stalagmites.
Derek inquired about a lattice of thin stone walkways extending halfway to the towers.
"Something called a breakwater," Key explained. "I like to go out there and hop from one to another."
The skipper touched his chest. "Uh, men, a certain object is vibrating. I think it needs attention."
"You got magic in there?" Key was keenly interested.
"We'll have to take her into confidence," Derek said. "Key, is there a place we can bed down?"
"Sure, follow me." She led them back to the concourse, where they threaded their way among the night life to arrive at a repair shop. A burly, balding man behind the counter collected money for a repaired boat hook. "Uncle Brunt!" Key reached an arm, and he hauled her up onto the counter.
"Who have we here?" Brunt asked.
"They got magic," Key said. She hopped down on the other side to open the half-door for them. "Can they flop here tonight?"
"I don't see why not, since Face let them in." Brunt wiped hands on a leather apron and invited them through a beaded curtain. The space, lit by wall sconces, smelled of hemp and oilcloth. Tools and chains hung from pegs over a work table and vise.
Key showed them a door in the corner. "You can do your business in there. That goes to the real sewer."
"Have you men eaten?" Brunt asked.
The trio eyed each other, unsure about the cuisine to be had in a place like this.
"I'll get us somethin'," Key offered. Brunt counted out coins, and she scampered away.
"Are you really her uncle?" Gilligan asked.
Brunt grinned. "Everybody is her aunt or uncle. Her favorite is Janit, sort of a mayor here, though she works as a healer."
The skipper felt his chest again. "It's like a baby's trying to be born."
"If it's quite convenient," Derek said, "we could use a bit of privacy. It concerns the magic Key talked about."
"Well," he said doubtfully, "as long as there's no trouble."
As soon as it was safe, the skipper pulled the mug out and tapped on it. Cambris ghosted out and took shape, taking in the surroundings.
"Cambris," Derek said, "you must keep your eyes hidden from the child. Her name is Key—"
"I heard. I must question her."
"Okay," the skipper said, but we're all cooked if you're found out."
Minutes later, Key parted the rattling curtain, lugging a bucket. "Food's here! Oh—who's she?"
Gilligan hoisted the mug. "Her name's Cambris, and she's the genie of the bottle." His companions wore pained expressions.
"A genie!" Key hopped up and down. "Do you grant wishes?"
"I am not that kind of genie, small one. I locate things. I am here in search of a vampire ring."
"Oh, we got lots of those." Key handed out platters. "This is kob. It's leavin's that folks didn't eat, put on hard bread." She took a bite. "I suppose genies don't hafta eat."
The men gingerly tried theirs. "Not bad," Gilligan said, "for something we throw out back home."
"Tell me," Cambris said in the concealment of her hood, "are there rings belonging to vampire lords?"
Key sat on a stack of burlap, swinging her legs between bites. "I know about two of 'em. Jili took one from a vampire lord. Karst heard about another one, and had it sent here."
"Describe them."
"Well, they both have red stones. One is set in silver, and the other in black."
"That is the one!" Cambris averred. "I must have it." The skipper used his hands in an effort to tone her down.
"Then you better ask Karla," Key said. "She traded the old one for the new one, because it lets her turn into a vampire."
"No!" Cambris shouted. "He will be reborn through her!"
Derek put a reassuring arm about Key. "What she means is, the ring is dangerous. Keep using it, and one day you'll change into an evil count."
"Whoa." Key forgot about the rest of the kob. "Karla sure don't wanna change into a man."
"Is there another way out?" Cambris inquired, "besides the face?"
Key practically preened. "Won't do ya no good. I'm the only one that can squeeze through the crack."
"You must show me."
The skipper put aside his barely touched meal. "But Cambris, you know how genies need a safe place to rest."
"I will entrust my bottle to Key, who will leave it at the exit point. She will be rewarded for her help."
"Imagine me!" Key piped, "havin' a genie!" She took Cambris' hand. "Genies sure have cold hands. Come with me."
The men followed anxiously, marveling at the shop fronts and equally strange clientele. Key led them to the very end of the concourse, which ended where the rock face sloped into the water.
"It's in that cave," Key said, pointing. "You boys got coin for a boat?"
Derek hired a man who looked hopeful of a commission, and a moment later, the boatman rowed away with Key and Cambris.
"She hasn't let us in on the plan," the skipper fretted. "I hope she doesn't find this Karla person. That's a vampire battle royale."
Derek touched his nose in thought. "Why don't we find out what we can about Karla and Jili?"
"That's a great idea!" Gilligan's smile faltered. "We better wait for Key. I wanna know if Cambris let her have that mug."
The overhead "sun" had cycled to blue, now very much an artificial moon, when the boatman brought Key back. She bounded ashore, minus the bottle. "The genie turned to smoke and went out the crack! She said to leave the bottle there, and she'd be back tomorrow."
"What's out there?" the skipper asked.
"Oh, that's just a swamp where they built the outlaw town. Once the city watch puts you in there, you don't get back out."
"Key." Gilligan led her back along the walkway. "Can you tell us about Karla and Jili?"
"You'll hafta ask Brunt. My ma will spazz if she knows I'm out this late." She ran to the second stairwell and went up.
"I surmise," Derek said, "she's going to overnight with Janit. Well then—let's get to our pallets at Brunt's place. I'm sure he can answer a few questions."
They made their way along an increasingly thinned walkway until they reached the repair shop. Being near the entrance showed the back of the face, a featureless bald head. Gilligan guessed their thoughts. "We could walk outta here, but without Key, we're toast."
